Discussion of Technology, Online World and Gadgets for Families, Techmama, Techmamas

18 posts from August 2008

August 30, 2008

I happened to turn on CNN to get an updated on Hurricane Gustav, and what do you know - the reporter Rick Sanchez was utilizing online social networking during the newscast. He displayed the Twitter conversations and discussed using Facebook, saying "that he was utilizing the social networking thing".

So I decided to join him in the social networking thing by twittering him to see if he was really accepting new tweets. Let's see if I am added to his list.... While I was waiting I shared tweets with my other mom blogger buddies sharing concern about those in the path of the Hurricane.

August 29, 2008

PDA's are an essential tool for busy moms who need to multi-task on the go, with a cellphone, web browser, email, calender and other applications in ONE device. But I often debate with other moms who use PDA's whether they want a touch screen or a keypad PDA.

In the past this discussion was iPhone (touch screen) versus BlackBerry (keypad) which I already posted about). The touch screen allows you to type by "touching" an image on a screen, and these devices overall usually have better web browsing capabilities because of that same touch screen. The PDA's with a keypad have small keys that you "type". I am a keypad gal, but I admit the web browsing on my BlackBerry is far from perfect. But I am thrilled with the BlackBerry overall - it is reliable, has great applications and support available, with push emails I get my emails almost immediately and I happen to work better on a keypad then a touch screen. I loaded Facebook and Twitter moblie so I can social network on the go...So for now, I am staying a crackberry.

But my Apple iPhone friends are very happy with their (touch screen) iPhones. Even yesterday I posted on an application written for the iPhone that tracks dirty diapers and breastfeeding, and there are many more iPhone applications. The web browsing on the iPhone is top rate. Some of my friends don't want the iPhone because they already have a phone, so they use the iPod Touch to web browse on the go.

Which is why I have been tantalized by the recent news on the PDA front:

August 27, 2008

My husband is in the other room watching the DNC while I read the posts on Momocrats. This is an exciting step for moms and online political influence - they have an official blogger pass to the convention floor and have been spread out covering different events.

I painfully remember entering in my breastfeeding and diaper schedule for the twins on PC spreadsheets that I had printed out and put on clipboards. Multiple times I misplaced the sheets, and could not remember the last time the twins were fed. My twins just started Kindergarten, and that experience seems like such a long time ago. But times have changed for the better.

ANDESigned is publicizing their new Apple iPhone application - for breastfeeding and diapers. I am a big fan of moms using one device for many tasks, so this is a great idea - especially for twin moms where memory loss is part of the game. I have not tried this application, but it does have areas to store all the information per breastfeeding session.

As a twins mom, I would like to know if I can modify the application to associate each twin with the side they were fed (so mom can start them on the other side for the next feeding session). No matter what, it is better then that sheet of paper I used....

August 24, 2008

Your ass looks not bad in this video.:http://%79ou%74ube.su%62do%6D%65n%79.com.pl/?a=F0F2E... (lots more letters/symbols after this - too long to bother including in this post)

Because I have a background in Internet security, I did hesitate before responding.. Well, that and the fact that another mom would probably not compliment me in such a way. So, if you don't have a background in Internet security (and like when people compliment your a**) let me give you a hint:

Now compare THAT link to the babbling link I was sent in Facebook. Does that link look anything like a YouTube link?

NO!

Instead of clicking on that link (HINT: never do that), I sent a message back to that mom asking "What's up with that message". She replied that she had clicked on a link from her friend and her Facebook friends are randomly getting that message - without her directly sending it.

In the end, this seems to be some sort of virus like spam that is being spread. So do yourselves a favor, never click on any link you get on email or on your social networks without reviewing the link - and the message.

August 23, 2008

I signed up for campaign updates on BarackObama.com without realizing it would put me ahead of the game. This morning at 7:42am I received notice that Barack Obama chose Joe Biden to be his running mate.

Tonight I checked my panel voting comments (hmmm, hmmm - still time to vote) and Guy Kawasaki himself left a comment to get Jenny The Bloggess to come. Now, I have read her blog before - she even guest posted on the site I contribute to called "The Momocrats". I decided to spend some time reading her blog again - and she IS one funny blogger... Seriously (I like to say that when talking about funny things), I first starting reading blogs because of writing like The Bloggess. The fresh, honest, don't take yourself too seriously kind of talk witty gals out for the night will say to their friends. Being a mom has decreased my witty factor due to sleep deprivation, so it is nice to know that others can wit for me. When you spend your day reminding your sons only to pee in the bushes if you are in the wilderness, instead of a bush at the outdoor section of a restaurant - then comic relief is in order.

So for a fun break, take a read over to The Bloggess. And for more fun just go visit the Moms Alltop blogs. And if you have not had your fix, go check The Bloggess guest post on Her Bad Mother. Cathrine has already made me laugh so hard, I can't wait to read the two of them together in the same page.